Image information processing apparatus, image information processing system, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program

ABSTRACT

An image information processing apparatus including an operating panel on which an operating screen is displayed is provided. The image information processing apparatus includes a storage to store, therein, a first type application and a second type application. The first type application implements a process that includes capturing information from the image information processing apparatus or an external device. The second type application implements a process excluding the capturing. The image information processing apparatus also includes a determination portion to determine, when an information device capable of displaying the operating screen is communicably connected to the image information processing apparatus, whether or not the information device corresponds to a predetermined operational device, and a program transfer portion to download the first type application onto the predetermined operational device, and to download the second type application onto the information device not corresponding to the predetermined operational device.

This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2010-208690filed on Sep. 17, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image information processingapparatus having an operating panel on which operating screens can bedisplayed. Such an image information processing apparatus is capable ofone or more of the following image-information-related processes:printing, scanning, copying, facsimile transmission/reception, and datasave (storage). An example of the image information processing apparatusis a Multi-Functional Peripheral (MFP).

2. Description of the Related Art

MFP's (also called multifunction devices) used for a variety of purposessuch as copying are one of OA machines that are indispensable in officesof business. One or more MFP's are installed in business officesdepending on the size of the business offices. Such MFP's are usuallyshared by a plurality of users irrespective of how many MFP's areinstalled in the business office. Supposing that an MFP is shared by aplurality of users, the MFP is equipped with an authentication functionfor identifying users, a job management function, and other functions.

The operating panel of an MFP has a display configured to display manyoperating screens. Such a display typically has a size of approximately8 inches on the diagonal (resolution level of 480×200 dots), and iscapable of making such a sharp preview that a user can understand thedetails of image information displayed on the screen. The imageinformation is information realized based on visual elements, e.g.,text, charts, and photos. The user appropriately operates operationbuttons in operating screens displayed on the operating panel, so thathe/she can select a desired function from among many functions of theMFP, and make settings on operation relating to the selected function.

In order to improve the usability of MFPs, a conventional art has beenproposed in which a mobile phone possessed by a user is used to operatean MFP (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-053834).According to the conventional art, an MFP sends, in advance, applicationsoftware to a registered mobile terminal (mobile phone). The applicationsoftware is to be used by a user if an error occurs in the MFP duringjob execution. If an error occurs in the MFP thereafter, the MFP informsthe mobile terminal that the error occurs, and operates in accordancewith user's operation through the mobile terminal. According to theconventional art, even if a user (client) of the MFP operates a clientterminal (e.g., a personal computer) connected to the MFP via a networkto instruct the MFP to execute a job, and leaves the installationlocation of the client terminal, he/she can deal with an errorimmediately after knowing occurrence of the error.

Mobile information terminals having touch input capability such assmartphones or tablet computers may be used to operate an imageinformation processing apparatus. A variety of applications can beinstalled onto such mobile information terminals. Installing operatingprograms onto mobile information terminals realizes an environment inwhich users can perform operation at hand in a manner similar tooperation performed on an operating panel of an image informationprocessing apparatus.

However, if operating programs are installed unconditionally onto all ofmobile information terminals having a capability to operate an imageinformation processing apparatus, information-security-related problemsoccur. Stated differently, providing a mobile information terminal withoperation functions similar to those of an operating panel of an imageinformation processing apparatus increases a risk that information keptin the image information processing apparatus, a server cooperatingtherewith, and so on leaks or is lost via the mobile informationterminal. This is because the mobile information terminal possiblycontains, therein, Spyware to externally transfer data, viruses todestroy data, or other factors to cause some troubles, irrespective ofwhether or not this is intentional.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to solve the problems pointed outabove, and therefore, an object of an embodiment of the presentinvention is to enhance the usability of image information processingapparatuses by increasing the variety of operation environment thereof,and to reduce a risk of leakage of electronic data indicating imageinformation.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image informationprocessing apparatus including an operating panel on which an operatingscreen is displayed is provided. The image information processingapparatus includes a storage configured to store, therein, a first typeapplication and a second type application, the first type applicationimplementing, when being executed by an information device capable ofdisplaying the operating screen, a process that includes accessing theimage information processing apparatus or an external devicecommunicably connected to the image information processing apparatus,and capturing information from the image information processingapparatus or the external device thus accessed, and the second typeapplication implementing, when being executed by the information device,a process that includes accessing the image information processingapparatus or the external device, and excludes capturing informationfrom the image information processing apparatus or the external devicethus accessed; a determination portion configured to determine, when theinformation device is communicably connected to the image informationprocessing apparatus, whether or not the information device correspondsto a predetermined operational device; and a program transfer portionconfigured to download the first type application onto the informationdevice when the determination portion determines that the informationdevice corresponds to the predetermined operational device, and todownload the second type application onto the information device whenthe determination portion determines that the information device doesnot correspond to the predetermined operational device.

These and other characteristics and objects of the present inventionwill become more apparent by the following descriptions of preferredembodiments with reference to drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an imageinformation processing system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of an operatingpanel of an image information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of atouchscreen portion of an operating panel.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardwareconfiguration of an image information processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configurationof the principal part of an image information processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an example of the flow of operationperformed by the principal part of an image information processingapparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an example of an install process for anauthorized product.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operating screen displayedby using a first type application.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operating screen displayedby using a second type application.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a process implemented byusing a first type application.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of a process implementedby using a second type application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an image information processing system 1 accordingto an embodiment of the present invention is configured of an MFP 2 thatis an image information processing apparatus, a mobile informationterminal 3 designated as an operational device associated with the MFP2, and so on. The image information processing system 1 is installed in,for example, an office of business, and shared by a plurality of users.In the office where the image information processing system 1 isinstalled, a Local Area Network (LAN) 7 is established to interface theMFP 2 with a cloud system 9 via the Internet 8. An access point 7A isconnected to the LAN 7. Mobile information terminals 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c,which are possessed by people in the office, and the mobile informationterminal 3 can perform wireless LAN communication within a communicationdistance of the access point 7A.

In the illustrated example, only one mobile information terminal 3 isshown as the operational device associated with the MFP 2. However, aplurality of mobile information terminals may be designated asoperational devices associated with the MFP 2. For example, if users ofdifferent departments share the MFP 2, the mobile information terminals3 can be provided on a section-by-section basis. In the meantime, ifmobile information terminals 3 are sold by a seller of the MFP 2, all acustomer has to do is to purchase the necessary number of mobileinformation terminals 3, and the customer does not have to work toregister the mobile information terminals 3 to the MFP 2 as theoperational devices thereof.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, three mobile information terminals4 a, 4 b, and 4 c, which are not designated as operational devices forthe MFP 2, are shown. However, the number of mobile informationterminals 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c is not limited to three, and any numberthereof is possible. The greater the number of mobile informationterminals 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, is, the larger the operation environment of theMFP 2 is. Even if the number of mobile information terminals 4 a, 4 b, 4c, is zero, the functions of the MFP 2 as the image informationprocessing apparatus are the same as those of the MFP 2 for the casewhere the number of mobile information 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, is one or more.

Each of the mobile information terminal 3 and the mobile informationterminals 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c has a display necessary to display anoperating screen, which is displayed on an operating panel 20 of the MFP2, and also has program execution capabilities. The display of each ofthe mobile information terminal 3 and the mobile information terminals 4a, 4 b, and 4 c has a resolution equal to or higher than that of theoperating panel 20 of the MFP 2. Each of the mobile information terminal3 and the mobile information terminals 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c is desirablyoperated by an operating system that has the same or similar functionsto those of the operating panel 20 of the MFP 2 to provide compatibilitybetween the subject mobile information terminal and the operating panel20. Predetermined operation control programs are installed onto themobile information terminal 3 and the mobile information terminals 4 a,4 b, and 4 c, so that these terminals can serve as information devicesused for operating the MFP 2. The operation control programs andapplications, described later, are downloaded from the MFP 2 to each ofthe mobile information terminal 3 and the mobile information terminals 4a, 4 b, and 4 c.

Referring to FIG. 2, the operating panel 20 of the MFP 2 includes atouchscreen portion 20A on which a variety of operating screens aredisplayed, and a key panel portion 20B in which a variety of fixed keysare disposed. In the illustrated example, the touchscreen portion 20Adisplays an operating screen Q1 for basic settings for copy process. Asthe fixed keys in the key panel portion 20B, numeric keys 201 used forentering numerical values, a start key 202 used for causing mechanismportions to start operations, and a stop key 203 used for causing themechanism portions to stop operations.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of thetouchscreen portion 20A of the operating panel 20. The touchscreenportion 20A is configured of a touchscreen 210 realized by combining aliquid crystal display and a touch-sensitive pointing device, a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU) 220 that is a processor for executing programs, anonvolatile memory 230 for storing therein a variety of pieces ofsoftware, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 232 used as a work area forprogram execution, a communication interface 240 for communication withthe body of the MFP 2 and an external device.

In the touchscreen portion 20A, Android (registered trademark) is usedboth as an Operating System (OS) 300 and a User Interface (UI) 320 thatis an operation control program for displaying operating screens.Instead of Android, however, it is possible to use Symbian (registeredtrademark) OS by Nokia Corporation, Windows (registered trademark)Mobile by Microsoft Corporation, or other OS's, and to incorporate auser interface corresponding to the OS in use into the touchscreenportion 20A.

Aside from OS and UI, the nonvolatile memory 230 stores, therein, aprogram 322 for controlling a variety of processes such as printing orscanning performed by the MFP 2, a program 324 for user authentication,plug-ins 360 for enabling a user to use web services. Such software isloaded onto the RAM 232 if necessary, so that a process specified by auser is implemented.

The plug-ins 360 are used for, for example, electronic mail service,document creation software, map browsing service, calendar serviceprovided by Google. It is also possible to install, onto the touchscreenportion 20A, plug-ins suitable for business support service provided byMicrosoft Corporation, or suitable for Software as a Service (SaaS)provided by other businesses.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the MFP 2 having thetouchscreen portion 20A described above. Referring to FIG. 4, the MFP 2includes an operating panel 20, an image scanner 21, a printer engine22, a sheet tray (stacker) 23, a control circuit 25, an image processingcircuit 26, a storage 27, a facsimile communication interface 28, and acommunication interface 30 for network connection. The operating panel20 is provided with the touchscreen portion 20A described above. Theimage scanner 21 is capable of optically scanning image informationdepicted on a document. The printer engine 22 is operable to print amonochrome or color image on a single side or both sides of papersupplied from the multi-stage sheet tray 23. The control circuit 25 isconfigured of a ROM 251 for storing a control program thereon, a CPU 252for executing the control program, and a RAM 253 for executing programs.The RAM 253 includes an S-RAM functioning as a work area and an NV-RAM(nonvolatile memory) which stores a variety of settings and is backed upby a battery. The image processing circuit 26 performs a variety ofimage processing including processing for correcting output data of theimage scanner 21 and processing for converting an original image into abitmap format for printing. The storage 27 is a mass storage device suchas a hard disk drive. The storage 27 contains a memory region in whichdata relating to control of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored, anda memory region 270 in which files of a variety of types of documentsare saved, i.e., a so-called box. The facsimile communication interface28 enables the MFP 2 to perform facsimile communication through a publicline. The communication interface 30 enables the MFP 2 to performcommunication with the touchscreen portion 20A, the mobile informationterminal 3, and the mobile information terminals 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c.

Descriptions are given below of a download of an application from theMFP 2 to the mobile information terminal 3 and the mobile informationterminals 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c. In the descriptions, a mobile informationterminal 3 qualified as an operational device by a manufacturer of theMFP 2 is referred to as an “authorized product” or an “authorized mobileinformation terminal 3”. Further, mobile information terminals 4 a, 4 b,and 4 c that are not qualified as operational devices are notdistinguished from one another. Each of such mobile informationterminals 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c is referred to as an “unauthorized product”or an “unauthorized mobile information terminal 4”. Based on this rule,elements and parts in FIG. 5 and beyond are given reference signs.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configurationof the principal part of the MFP 2, i.e., parts related to a download ofan application. Referring to FIG. 5, the MFP 2 is configured of thestorage 27 for storing therein applications to be downloaded, adetermination portion 501 for determining whether a mobile informationterminal is an authorized product or an unauthorized product, and aprogram transfer portion 503 for downloading a predetermined applicationonto an authorized product and an unauthorized product. The CPU 252,which is incorporated as a computer to execute programs into the MFP 2,executes control programs, and thereby, functions of the determinationportion 501 and the program transfer portion 503 are implemented.

Before or after shipment of an MFP 2 from a factory, a first typeapplication 361 and a second type application 362 are stored into astorage 27 of the MFP 2. Each of the first type application 361 and thesecond type application 362 implements processing involved with the MFP2 or a device connected thereto. While processing implemented by thefirst type application 361 and processing implemented by the second typeapplication 362 are similar to each other, they are not identical. To bespecific, the first type application 361 is for an authorized product,and can be used to capture image information from the MFP 2 or a devicecommunicably connected thereto to a mobile information terminal 3 as anauthorized product. In contrast, the second type application 362 is foran unauthorized product, and cannot be used to capture image informationfrom the MFP 2 and any other devices to a mobile information terminal 4as an unauthorized product.

When an authorized mobile information terminal 3 or an unauthorizedmobile information terminal 4 is communicably connected to the MFP 2 viathe communication interface 30, the determination portion 501 determineswhether or not the terminal thus connected is an authorized productbased on information registered in a table T1. The table T1 showsidentification information for identifying authorized products inconnection forms compatible with the communication interface 30. Suchidentification information is a Media Access Control (MAC) address inconnection through a LAN based on IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet, registeredtrademark), or through a Wireless LAN (WLAN) based on IEEE 802.11a/b/g.Alternatively, such identification information is a Bluetooth DeviceAddress (BDA) in connection through IEEE 802.15.1 (Bluetooth). Yetalternatively, such identification information is a vender ID and aproduct ID in connection through a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Thedetermination portion 501 compares identification information of aterminal connected to the MFP 2 with identification information shown inthe table T1. If a match is found therebetween, then the determinationportion 501 determines that the terminal connected to the MFP 2 is anauthorized product. Otherwise, the determination portion 501 determinesthat the terminal connected to the MFP 2 is an unauthorized product.

The program transfer portion 503 downloads, based on the determinationmade by the determination portion 501, the first type application 361onto the authorized mobile information terminal 3 communicably connectedto the MFP 2, and downloads the second type application 362 onto theunauthorized mobile information terminal 4 communicably connected to theMFP 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an example of the flow of operationperformed by the determination portion 501 and the program transferportion 503. When a connection is established between the MFP 2 and themobile information terminal 3 or the mobile information terminal 4 whichhas functions compatible with those of the touchscreen portion 20A ofthe operating panel 20 of the MFP 2, the determination portion 501obtains identification information of the mobile information terminalconnected to the MFP 2 (Step S11 and Step S12). The determinationportion 501 compares the identification information thus obtained withthe details of the table T1, and then determines whether or not theconnected mobile information terminal is an authorized product (StepS13). If it is determined that the connected mobile information terminalis an unauthorized product, then the result of the determination isshown by turning on an unauthorized product flag.

Upon receiving the determination result notification from thedetermination portion 501, the program transfer portion 503 establishesa management connection necessary to install an application onto themobile information terminal to which the MFP 2 is performingcommunication (Step S15). If such a management connection cannot beestablished (No in Step S16), then the program transfer portion 503finishes the processing. If such a management connection can beestablished (Yes in Step S16), then the program transfer portion 503checks whether or not an unauthorized product flag is turned on (StepS17). Unless an unauthorized product flag is turned on, then the processgoes to an install processing routine for authorized product (Step S18).On the other hand, if an unauthorized product flag is turned on (Yes inStep S17), then the program transfer portion 503 downloads the secondtype application 362 for unauthorized product onto the mobileinformation terminal connected, for management, to the MFP 2, and alsocauses the mobile information terminal to install, thereonto, the secondtype application 362 to make it easy for a user of the mobileinformation terminal to use the second type application 362 (Step S19).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an example of the flow of the installprocessing routine (Step S18 of FIG. 6) for authorized product. Theinstall processing routine is included in the main routine in order tocope with a case where undesirable modification in terms of informationsecurity is probably made to even an authorized product. During theinstall processing routine, before downloading the first typeapplication 361 to an authorized product, checks are made to confirm thereliability of the authorized product.

The program transfer portion 503 makes the following checks: (A) a checkas to whether or not an unclear application is included in applicationsalready installed on the mobile information terminal connected, formanagement, to the MFP 2; (B) a check as to whether or not an unclearprocess is performed in the mobile information terminal connected formanagement; and (C) a check as to whether or not a modified applicationis included in known applications already installed on the mobileinformation terminal connected for management (Steps S181, S183, andS185). The checks may be made in any order. Check (C) described abovecan be made by using a method for determining hash values of theapplication.

If the result of check (A) shows that there are no unclear applications(No in Step S182), at the same time, if the result of check (B) showsthat there are no unclear processes (No in Step S184), and further, ifthe result of check (C) indicates that there are no modifiedapplications (No in Step S186), then the program transfer portion 503downloads the first type application 361 for authorized product, andcauses the mobile information terminal connected for management toinstall thereonto the first type application 361 (Step S187).

On the other hand, if any one of an unclear application, an unclearprocess, and a modified application is found, then downloading the firsttype application 361 is stopped. In such a case, the program transferportion 503 downloads the second type application 362 for unauthorizedproduct, instead of the first type application 361, and causes themobile information terminal connected for management to installthereonto the second type application 362 (Step S188). In short, even ifthe determination portion 501 determines that a mobile informationterminal is an authorized product, the mobile information terminal isdealt with as an unauthorized product provided that conditions forchecks (A)-(C) are not satisfied.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example of the difference in function between thefirst type application 361 and the second type application 362.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an operating screen Q3 displayed in anauthorized mobile information terminal 3. The operating screen Q3 isdisplayed when a user of the authorized mobile information terminal 3intends to, for example, cause the MFP 2 to print a document based ondocument data saved to the box 270 of the MFP 2 by using the first typeapplication 361. The operating screen Q3 has a document list 91 in whichdocuments corresponding to document data saved to the box 270 aredisplayed in the form of meta data, e.g., file name, and also has apreview region 92 in which image information of a document selected inthe document list 91 is displayed as a thumbnail image.

The user touches a character string indicating any one of documents inthe document list 91, so that image information which is the substantialdetails of the selected document can be viewed beforehand. The usertouches another character string in the document list 91, so that adocument to be previewed is turned from one document to anotherdocument. When the user touches a print button 95 in the operatingscreen Q3, a document displayed in the preview region 92 at this timepoint is deemed as a print target. In response to the print button 95being touched, the indication on the display is changed from theoperating screen Q3 to an operating screen (not shown) for printsettings. When the user makes desired settings on the set of prints, aprintable area, and so on, and then, gives instructions to performprinting, the first type application 361 and the operating systemcooperate with each other to give the print instructions to the MFP 2.

In order for the mobile information terminal 3 to preview an image of adocument, the mobile information terminal 3 needs to obtain imageinformation of the document from the MFP 2. Irrespective of whether ornot the MFP 2 performs a process on image information for preview, theimage of the document is not previewed appropriately unless the mobileinformation terminal 3 obtains image information which helps the user tounderstand the substantial details of the document. In short, the firsttype application 361 configured to preview a document image has afunction to capture image information from an external device to themobile information terminal 3 on which the first type application 361 isinstalled. In the case where the first type application 361 is launchedand the operating screen Q3 is displayed, image information is capturedfrom the MFP 2 to the mobile information terminal 3.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an operating screen Q4 displayed in anunauthorized mobile information terminal 4. The operating screen Q4 isdisplayed when a user of the unauthorized mobile information terminal 4intends to, for example, cause the MFP 2 to print a document based ondocument data saved to the box 270 of the MFP 2 by using the second typeapplication 362. The operating screen Q4 has a document list 91 as withthe operating screen Q3 described above. Unlike the operating screen Q3,however, the operating screen Q4 has no preview region 92.

The user of the unauthorized mobile information terminal 4 cannotconfirm the details of a document in the form of a preview image. He/Shecan, however, specify a desired document as a print target by referringto information, e.g., file name, displayed in the document list 91. Theoperation from when the user specifies a document to when a printcommand is given to the MFP 2 is the same as that in the authorizedmobile information terminal 3 discussed above.

Since no preview image is displayed, document image information isunnecessary to display the operating screen Q4. The second typeapplication 362 does not have a function to capture image informationfrom an external device to the mobile information terminal 4 on whichthe second type application 362 is installed. Accordingly, even when thesecond type application 362 is launched, image information is notcaptured from the MFP 2 to the mobile information terminal 4.

As described above, the first type application 361 and the second typeapplication 362 are different from each other in function to captureimage information. Stated differently, whether or not an application isequipped with a function to capture image information is a conditionbased on which the first type application and the second typeapplication are distinguished from each other.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a process implemented by using the firsttype application 361, and FIGS. 11A and 11B show examples of a processimplemented by using the second type application 362. The illustratedprocess is a process for “printing, with the MFP 2, a document savedbased on SaaS included in the cloud system 9”. Each of the authorizedmobile information terminal 3 and the unauthorized mobile informationterminal 4 cooperates with the MFP 2 and the cloud system 9 to performthe illustrated process.

Referring to FIG. 10, the authorized mobile information terminal 3 onwhich the first type application 361 is installed requests the cloudsystem 9 to download a document specified by a user. Prior to thisoperation, it is possible for the mobile information terminal 3 todisplay a list of documents stored in the cloud system 9 and to previewdocument images so as to make it easy for the user to specify adocument, as with the case of FIG. 8. Responding to the download requestfrom the authorized mobile information terminal 3, the cloud system 9sends a document, or, in other words, a data file containing imageinformation, to the mobile information terminal 3. Since the imageinformation is captured to the authorized mobile information terminal 3,the user thereof can specify a variety of print formats. For example,he/she can specify N-in-1 printing in which document imagescorresponding to a plurality of pages are printed onto one sheet ofpaper. When the user specifies such N-in-1 printing in the print settingscreen, the authorized mobile information terminal 3 performs dataprocessing to bring images on a plurality of pages into an image for onepage, and creates a print job (print command) by combining print settinginformation with image information for printing obtained as a result ofthe data processing. The authorized mobile information terminal 3, then,sends the print job created to the MFP 2.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the unauthorized mobile information terminal 4 onwhich the second type application 362 is installed instructs the cloudsystem 9 to transfer a document specified by a user to the MFP 2. Theunauthorized mobile information terminal 4 also instructs the MFP 2 toperform printing based on the document transferred from the cloud system9.

FIG. 11B shows a modified example of the process shown in FIG. 11A.Referring to FIG. 11B, the unauthorized mobile information terminal 4 onwhich the second type application 362 is installed instructs the MFP 2to obtain a document from the cloud system 9 and to perform printingbased on the obtained document. In the illustrated example, the MFP 2instructed to perform printing requests the cloud system 9 to transfer adocument.

In the embodiments discussed above, image information is not captured toan unauthorized mobile information terminal 4 onto which the second typeapplication 362 is downloaded. While the case is described above inwhich information is transferred from the cloud system 9, let alone,limitations are similarly applied to the case of transfer from thestorage 27 of the MFP 2. According to the arrangement described above,even if the storage 27 of the MFP 2 stores, therein, importantelectronic data in security such as confidential documents, and addressbook data containing personal information, such important electronicdata is not transferred to an unauthorized mobile information terminal4, and therefore, such important electronic data does not leak out to anunknown external device as-is through the unauthorized mobileinformation terminal 4.

According to the embodiments discussed above, when the touchscreenportion 20A of the operating panel 20 is unavailable, an authorizedmobile information terminal 3 can be used as a substitute for thetouchscreen portion 20A. Further, irrespective of whether or not aninformation device corresponds to the operational device, the first typeapplication or the second type application to access the imageinformation processing apparatus is downloaded onto an informationdevice capable of displaying an operating screen. A user of theinformation device, therefore, can use the downloaded application tocause the image information processing apparatus to execute apredetermined process.

In the embodiments discussed above, a user of an unauthorized mobileinformation terminal 4 can acquire an operation environment under whichhe/she operates the MFP 2 anywhere in a communication distanceconnectable to the MFP 2. The user can perform operation, at hand, forcausing the MFP 2 to perform printing based on data saved to the cloudsystem 9, to perform facsimile transmission based on the data, totransfer the data to a personal computer connected to the LAN 7, tostore the data into the box 270, and so on.

In the embodiments described above, processes implemented by using thefirst type application 361 and the second type application 362 are notlimited to processes involved with the MFP 2. A process is discussedwhich transfers a file from the cloud system 9 connected to the LAN 7 toa file server (not shown) and vice versa. The process does not involvecapturing a file to an authorized mobile information terminal and anunauthorized mobile information terminal. Therefore, each of the firsttype application 361 and the second type application 362 can implementthe process. Further, a process is discussed which modifies and editsdata of documents, calendar, address book, etc., saved to the cloudsystem 9. This process involves capturing a data file. Therefore, thesecond type application 362 cannot implement the process while the firsttype application 361 can implement.

In the foregoing embodiments, an information device onto which the firsttype application 361 and the second type application 362 are downloadedto be used as an operation means is not necessarily a mobile device.However, the use of a mobile device realizes an operation environmentwhere a user uses the MFP 2 by operating his/her own familiar mobileinformation terminal around the location of the MFP 2.

In the foregoing embodiments, an MFP 2 is taken as an example of animage information processing apparatus; however, the present inventionis not limited thereto. The present invention is applicable to aprinter, a facsimile device, a document server, a storage, a scanner,and other types of image information processing apparatus.

While example embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that the present invention is notlimited thereto, and that various changes and modifications may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image information processing apparatusincluding an operating panel on which an operating screen is displayed,the image information processing apparatus comprising: a storageconfigured to store, therein, a first type application and a second typeapplication, the first type application implementing, when beingexecuted by an information device capable of displaying the operatingscreen, a process that includes accessing the image informationprocessing apparatus or an external device communicably connected to theimage information processing apparatus, and capturing information fromthe image information processing apparatus or the external device thusaccessed, and the second type application implementing, when beingexecuted by the information device, a process that includes accessingthe image information processing apparatus or the external device, andexcludes capturing information from the image information processingapparatus or the external device thus accessed; a determination portionconfigured to determine, when the information device is communicablyconnected to the image information processing apparatus, whether or notthe information device corresponds to a predetermined operationaldevice; and a program transfer portion configured to download the firsttype application onto the information device when the determinationportion determines that the information device corresponds to thepredetermined operational device, and to download the second typeapplication onto the information device when the determination portiondetermines that the information device does not correspond to thepredetermined operational device.
 2. The image information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program transfer portiondetermines, before downloading the first type application, whether ornot an application already stored in the information device determinedto correspond to the predetermined operational device is a properapplication, and stops downloading the first type application if theprogram transfer portion determines that the application is not a properapplication.
 3. The image information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the operating panel includes a communication interface,a display, an operating system for controlling the communicationinterface and the display, an operation control program for displayingthe operating screen on the display in cooperation with the operatingsystem, a communication terminal application for obtaining imageinformation through network communication, and a processor for executingthe operation control program and the communication terminalapplication.
 4. An image information processing system comprising: animage information processing apparatus including an operating panel onwhich an operating screen is displayed, the operating panel including acommunication interface, a display, an operating system for controllingthe communication interface and the display, an operation controlprogram for displaying the operating screen on the display incooperation with the operating system, a communication terminalapplication for obtaining image information through networkcommunication, and a processor for executing the operation controlprogram and the communication terminal application, a storage configuredto store, therein, a first type application and a second typeapplication, the first type application implementing, when beingexecuted by an information device capable of displaying the operatingscreen, a process that includes accessing the image informationprocessing apparatus or an external device communicably connected to theimage information processing apparatus, and capturing information fromthe image information processing or the external device thus accessed,and the second type application implementing, when being executed by theinformation device, a process that includes accessing the imageinformation processing apparatus or the external device, and excludescapturing information from the image information processing apparatus orthe external device thus accessed, a determination portion configured todetermine, when the information device is communicably connected to theimage information processing apparatus, whether or not the informationdevice corresponds to a predetermined operational device, and a programtransfer portion configured to download the first type application ontothe information device when the determination portion determines thatthe information device corresponds to the predetermined operationaldevice, to download the second type application onto the informationdevice when the determination portion determines that the informationdevice does not correspond to the predetermined operational device, todetermine, before downloading the first type application, whether or notan application already stored in the information device determined tocorrespond to the predetermined operational device is a properapplication, and to stop downloading the first type application if theprogram transfer portion determines that the application is not a properapplication; and an information device configured to be used to operatethe image information processing apparatus under a state where theoperation control program and an operating system are installed on theinformation device, the operating system having a function equal orequivalent to a function of the operating system of the operating panelin the image information processing apparatus.
 5. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing thereon a computer program usedin an image information processing apparatus including a computer and anoperating panel on which an operating screen is displayed, when executedby the computer, the computer program causing the computer to implement:a determination portion configured to determine, when an informationdevice capable of displaying the operating screen is communicablyconnected to the image information processing apparatus, whether or notthe information device corresponds to a predetermined operationaldevice; and a program transfer portion configured to download a firsttype application onto the information device when the determinationportion determines that the information device corresponds to thepredetermined operational device, and to download a second typeapplication onto the information device when the determination portiondetermines that the information device does not correspond to thepredetermined operational device, the first type applicationimplementing a process that includes accessing the image informationprocessing apparatus or an external device communicably connected to theimage information processing apparatus, and capturing information fromthe image information processing apparatus or the external device thusaccessed, and the second type application implementing a process thatincludes accessing the image information processing apparatus or theexternal device, and excludes capturing information from the imageinformation processing apparatus or the external device thus accessed.6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 5, wherein the computer program causes the program transferportion to determine, before downloading the first type application,whether or not an application stored in the information devicedetermined to correspond to the predetermined operational device is aproper application, and to stop downloading the first type applicationif the program transfer portion determines that the application is not aproper application.